Members of the Murray CMA Community Committee at their first meeting in Barooga late last month. The management of natural resources and the way they influence the economic and social life of the NSW Murray catchment will be under the spotlight as the Murray CMA Community Committee works with the catchment community to develop the Murray Catchment Action Plan over the next 12 months.

Murray CMA Board have taken a fresh and innovative approach to the development of the Catchment Action Plan by devolving the task of preparing the plan to a community based

committee.

This approach will ensure that the opinions and aspirations of the NSW Murray catchment community are listened to in the development of the five-year plan, which will guide investment to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of productive landscapes across the catchment.

The Committee is chaired by David Sexton of Thurgoona, who has served on a number of boards and committees involved with catchment management, pest plants and animals as well as having a distinguished career in local government administration.

The Committee reflects not only the geographic spread of the NSW Murray catchment, but represents all aspects of the social and economic fabric of the community from farmers to the urban

population, local government to indigenous

communities.

David Sexton said that the Murray Catchment Action Plan would balance the expectations of the community and government to produce a plan that is adopted by the community and endorsed by all government agencies.

“We are committed to balancing sound environmental management with economic well being for farmers, the wider catchment community and the towns that support them.

“It is essential that the agricultural industries are productive, profitable and viable, to get investment in natural resource management across the Murray Catchment”, he said.

“We are keen to involve and collaborate with a wide range of community groups and individuals, whether they are farmers, residents of the towns of the Murray catchment, small landholders, or groups with a special interest in biodiversity, cropping, irrigation or soil health.”

“Our committee members are well known in their communities and industries, so I would strongly encourage people to contact them and have a talk about their ideas for managing the natural resources of the Murray catchment”, he added.

An extensive engagement program will commence in April and continue right throughout May and June, providing the catchment community with an opportunity to become involved and help shape the future of natural resource management within the catchment. Details on the times and locations will be announced in the near future.

From mid-April, Greater Hume Shire Council will be asking its residents ‘how satisfied are you with Council’s services’?

General Manager, Steven Pinnuck said: “A random telephone survey will be conducted across Greater Hume Shire to identify levels of customer satisfaction with Council’s services and seek views on what should be the priorities for the Council into the future”.

Hundreds of residents within the Greater Hume Shire boundary will be contacted by telephone seeking their levels of satisfaction regarding Council’s operations and services.

The telephone survey will be conducted by IRIS Research, a widely respected and professional market research company that has conducted hundreds of similar surveys for councils across New South Wales and Queensland.

Simon Pomfret of IRIS Research said: “Residents can be assured that all interviewers will be clearly identified calling from IRIS Research on behalf of Greater Hume Shire and all responses provided by residents will be treated with total confidentiality and remain anonymous”.

“Residents can be further assured that at the completion of the telephone interview, the interviewer will provide residents with a telephone number to directly contact IRIS Research should they wish to do so for any reason” added Mr Pomfret.

Specific issues to be addressed in the survey include:

* What local services and facilities are important to you as a resident?

* How satisfied are you with the delivery of services by Greater Hume Shire Council?

* Are you willing to pay more for rates and charges to maintain the existing services and facilities in your local area?

Council recognises that the services it provides must be funded properly and delivered in a way that meets community standards.

Greater Hume Shire Council appreciates that there has been a big increase in telemarketing and nuisance calls in recent years with many from overseas based companies, but the IRIS researchers will clearly identify themselves and the Greater Hume survey project.

Greater Hume Shire Council asks that residents receiving calls agree to take part in this important survey project.

IRIS will contact residents by telephone at random from 16 – 22 April.

For residents who are not selected to participate in the survey, an online survey will be available on Council’s website from 23 April until 6 May 2012 at www.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au

At the end of the day Greater Hume Shire Council is investing the community’s money in this survey to get accurate, statistically valid data that will inform and guide Council’s priorities and resource allocation decisions.

Council need people who are contacted to participate and provide their opinions and views.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Sisters, Marilyn and Lauralee Terlich were a winning double at this year’s Sydney Royal.

Marilyn took out 1st place honours in the Royal Agricultural Society/Agricultural Societies Council NSW (RASASC) Fleece Junior Judging competition while younger sister Lauralee was equally successful winning the RASASC State Junior Grain Judging

competition.

Twenty four year old Marilyn began competing nine years ago following an invitation from her Year 8 Ag Science teacher to join the school team for the Albury show and has been competing at regional shows ever since.

Competitors are judged on their fleece handling and judging expertise by assessing four fleeces, ranking them 1-4. Finalists are then asked to deliver an oral report on each fleece.

Marilyn, who is in her final year of eligibility, intends to use her win to inspire other older competitors to keep going.

“As you get older the competition is extremely tough. I want to encourage older entrants not to give up and to keep going,” she said.

“I also want to contribute back to the show societies that have given me so much support by being a mentor to other competitors”

“I learnt by watching and picking up tips so I hope I can pass on my knowledge to others,” said Ms Terlich.

Marilyn also came 5th in RASASC Merino Sheep Judging competition.

Young sister, Lauralee Terlich, was awarded 1st place in the RASASC State Junior Grain Judging competition. Lauralee has been a keen competitor in various sections of show judging for more than 7 years and has competed at the Sydney Royal for the past 5 years.

Entrants in the competition are required to judge the overall best grain from four types – wheat, barley, oats and canola by a process of elimination.

Qualities including protein content, test weight, oil content and colour are assessed. The entrant with the score closest in match to the judge wins.

Lauralee intends to continue competing and mentor up and coming competitors.

“I hope my win helps to raise the profile of Junior Judging and inspire others to enter competition,” she said.

Another Henty girl, Keiley O’Brien came 2nd in RASASC judging

competition.

All three entrants qualified at the Henty Show.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Today, Australians will gather at Anzac services in villages, towns and cities all across the country.

Many more will gather in far away places; Gallipoli, the Somme, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Singapore, East Timor, Malaya, Kakoda- places where the Anzac spirit has left its mark.

Wherever they are Australians and those from other nations will join together to honour the men and women of our armed forces and remember those who served in conflicts and battles long ago as well as in more recent times.

Please take the time today to remember those who didn’t come home and the families and loved ones left behind, remember their sacrifice, remember their courage, remember their stories and remember, they did it for us and future generations to come.

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Robert Caldwell holds his submission to the Murray Darling Basin Authority.Forbes farmer Robert Caldwell plans to be at Town Hall next Monday to learn more about the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The Murray Darling Basin Authority has announced it will hold an ‘open house’ at Forbes Town Hall on Monday afternoon (3.30pm – 5pm), where staff from the MDBA and other government departments will be available to talk to local stakeholders.

Mr Caldwell, who is an irrigation farmer east of Forbes (his property is near Payten’s Bridge over the Lachlan), this week sent off his submission to the plan’s authors, the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

In his second submission to the MDBA, Mr Caldwell says he has no faith in the draft basin plan’s stated objective to set water aside for the environmental recovery of the Murray Darling Basin.

He believes the plan will take too much water out of agriculture and horticultural production and not deliver any of the irrigation efficiencies the Federal Government’s water purchases are supposed to achieve.

Mr Caldwell said irrigators are getting a ‘raw deal’ on the basin plan, and farmers’ rights to reasonable use of water are being slowly dissolved by water reform.

He believes the plan will result in a large reduction in irrigation farming.

“I think half the irrigation farms will disappear,” he said this week.

Mr Caldwell said he has little faith that the O’Farrell NSW Coalition Government would do much to oppose the Federal Labor Government’s plan for the basin.

“I think the O’Farrell / Hodgkinson Government hold the ‘whip hand’ and should reject the reductions on behalf of New South Wales… Labor governments seem to ram through changes without compensation [for primary producers] and the Liberals / Nationals seem unwilling or unable to reverse the damage,” he said.

Mr Caldwell said he doesn’t accept the scientific basis underlining the draft Basin Plan, particularly the water that the South Australian Government says is required to maintain the health of the lower Murray River.

“South Australia is claiming more than their fair share of water,” he said.

“They should remove the barrages [from the lower Murray] and return the estuary to its natural state. This would reduce the need to top up the Lower Lakes with 2,000,0000 ML a year of fresh water in time of drought.”

Mr Caldwell has already written one submission to the MDBA, when it released the guide to the draft plan last year, and hopes his thoughts are taken seriously.

“I am sure my submission will be ignored by the MDBA, but it may be of value to the NSW Government, to Forbes Shire Council and to fellow irrigators,” he said.

The Murray Darling Basin Authority will hold an ‘open house’ at Forbes Town Hall from 3.30pm to 5pm next Monday, March 19.

Those intending to attend are advised to check the MDBA website (www.mdba.gov.au) for any updates on the meeting.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Employees of Forbes electrical business, Shead and Nicholson, Phil Cleal and Glen Read, move stock back to lower shelves after last week’s flood alert.The long-term effects of last week’s flooding are the biggest concern for Forbes business owners, according to the president of Forbes Business Chamber.

Business Chamber president and Superbee General Manager, Karla Hudson, has sent out a request for feedback on the impact of the floods from chamber members.

Ms Hudson said the early response has indicated that businesses are worried about the longer term impact of the floods on their customers.

She said a large number of businesses had shut down for several days late last week, due to road closures, but owners seemed more worried about the impact after the flood threat had passed.

“Loss of trade was probably the biggest immediate concern, but I think what is worrying businesses more is the long-term affect,” she said.

Ms Hudson said businesses like steel suppliers, rural supplies and engineering firms were concerned how their primary producer clients would cope.

“How long will it take for those farmers who are in low lying areas who have crops flooded to get back in business – that’s the biggest concern,” she said.

Ms Hudson said several businesses had been very busy prior to the floods – particularly supermarkets and pharmacies – but once major roads and streets were closed, many were forced to shut down with staff unable to get through floodwater.

Ms Hudson said she had also received positive feedback from chamber members who praised the regular text messaging and email communication from Forbes Shire Council on latest road closures and river heights, but some are worried whether the shire will be able to pay for repairs to road infrastructure damaged in the floods.

She said the chamber was now asking people to shop locally to help businesses recover.

“We’re just asking people to shop locally – we always ask for people to do that, but if you can get it here, please do, because with losses of 50 to 80 per cent of trade over a week, our local businesses are definitely struggling,” she said.

Business chamber members and other businesses can provide feedback to the chamber by emailing Karla Hudson at [email protected]南京夜网.au.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

More than 250 people attended the reunion celebrations following the game against North Wagga.

The reunion brought together past greats of the club as well as present day players and the next generation.

Former Magpies came from as far away as Hervey Bay, Northern NSW and Victoria for the chance to catch up with old friends and team mates.

The Magpies got the day started with two big wins in the first and reserve grades, which only made the night better.

Former coach Bob Delanty was recruited from Collingwood in 1962 and took over the coaching reins in 1963 and 1964.

He had travelled from Tocumwal for the reunion and said it was a marvellous day. “The club has gone from strength to strength since the amalgamation and the local players are the backbone,” he said.

On Saturday night coaches and players from each decade were interviewed and an acknowledgement given to life members.

Former club president and reunion committee chairman Greg Verdon said everyone had enjoyed the day and night.

“The feedback we’ve received has been fantastic and a couple of good wins by the boys made the night that much more enjoyable,” he said.

TRYC players wore commemorative jumpers on the day and they were auctioned off on Saturday night.

“It exceeded our expectations … we left them dirty from the game but that didn’t detract from it,” Verdon said.

A big crowd attended the match and it is estimated about $7000 was taken at the gate.

THE ROCK-Yerong Creek made an ideal start to the season with a comfortable 81-point win over North Wagga on Saturday.

The Magpies never looked in trouble after keeping the Saints scoreless in the opening quarter and extended the lead at each break, finishing 19.13 (127) to 7.4 (46) at Victoria Park.

The win excited the large crowd, who had gathered to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary. Ryan Chamberlain and

Chris Ward inspired the win with classy displays at either end of the ground.

Playing his first game for the club, Chamberlain racked up 27 possessions through the midfield and across half-back.

While Ward, who missed last year’s premiership with injury, was a man on a mission and kicked seven goals in a dominant performance in attack.

Despite the winning margin, captain-coach Michael Mazzocchi was unimpressed with some aspects of the match.

Yet, in the end he was pleased to come away with a win. “I wasn’t overly happy with the first half but that was more to do with North Wagga’s pressure and all credit to them,” he said. “Overall I was happy with the endeavour but we’ll have to work on our skills and those one percenters. “I’m not rapt with how we got (the win) but the result is what’s important at the end of the day.”

Ward kicked the first goal of the season as TRYC kicked 4.5 (29) to nil in the first quarter. North Wagga ramped up

the pressure in the second quarter and the Magpies struggled to adjust as the game descended into a scrappy, error-riddled affair.

TRYC only managed two goals in the quarter and got an angry response from Mazzocchi at the half-time break as they led 6.8 (44) to 2.2 (14). The team stepped up the tempo in the third quarter and Daniel Hore-Smith booted his first goal for the club.

Dale Hugo spent the majority of the game in the forward line and kicked two quick goals to re-establish TRYC’s hold on the game.

Mazzocchi told his players during the final break to concentrate on their skills in the final quarter and demanded a six-goal finish.

The players responded and their tackling pressure resulted in a number of turnovers which were converted into goals.

Although quiet for the majority of the match Jason Brown stepped up in the final quarter with three goals as the Magpies slammed on seven goals to three. Hugo finished with five majors for the match while Bryan Ball was also a solid contributor before hurting his ankle in the third quarter.

Daily Advertiser

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Forbes farmer Robert Caldwell plans to be at Town Hall next Monday to learn more about the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The Murray Darling Basin Authority has announced it will hold an ‘open house’ at Forbes Town Hall on Monday afternoon (3.30pm – 5pm), where staff from the MDBA and other government departments will be available to talk to local stakeholders.

Mr Caldwell, who is an irrigation farmer east of Forbes (his property is near Peyton’s Bridge over the Lachlan), this week sent off his submission to the plan’s authors, the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

In his second submission to the MDBA, Mr Caldwell says he has no faith in the draft basin plan’s stated objective to set water aside for the environmental recovery of the Murray Darling Basin.

He believes the plan will take too much water out of agriculture and horticultural production and not deliver any of the irrigation efficiencies the Federal Government’s water purchases are supposed to achieve.

Mr Caldwell said irrigators are getting a ‘raw deal’ on the basin plan, and farmers’ rights to reasonable use of water are being slowly dissolved by water reform.

He believes the plan will result in a large reduction in irrigation farming.

“I think half the irrigation farms will disappear,” he said this week.

Mr Caldwell said he has little faith that the O’Farrell NSW Coalition Government would do much to oppose the Federal Labor Government’s plan for the basin.

“I think the O’Farrell / Hodgkinson Government hold the ‘whip hand’ and should reject the reductions on behalf of New South Wales… Labor governments seem to ram through changes without compensation [for primary producers] and the Liberals / Nationals seem unwilling or unable to reverse the damage,” he said.

Mr Caldwell said he doesn’t accept the scientific basis underlining the draft Basin Plan, particularly the water that the South Australian Government says is required to maintain the health of the lower Murray River.

“South Australia is claiming more than their fair share of water,” he said.

“They should remove the barrages [from the lower Murray] and return the estuary to its natural state. This would reduce the need to top up the Lower Lakes with 2,000,0000 ML a year of fresh water in time of drought.”

Mr Caldwell has already written one submission to the MDBA, when it released the guide to the draft plan last year, and hopes his thoughts are taken seriously.

“I am sure my submission will be ignored by the MDBA, but it may be of value to the NSW Government, to Forbes Shire Council and to fellow irrigators,” he said.

The Murray Darling Basin Authority will hold an ‘open house’ at Forbes Town Hall from 3.30pm to 5pm next Monday, March 19.

Those intending to attend are advised to check the MDBA website (www.mdba.gov.au) for any updates on the meeting, due to the flooding of the Lachlan.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Henty Pat Hower looks for an option to handball while teammates Jamarl O’Sullivan and Heath Ohlin look on during their domination of Henty.Lockhart has continued its stunning start to the 2012 Hume FL season, by winning a thrilling match against Culcairn at Culcairn, by just one point.

The Demons are emerging as a genuine flag contender, after having beaten last seasons runner up Holbrook in round one and now third placed Culcairn 15-6-96 to 15-5-95.

With Culcairn trailing by two points in the final minutes, Trent Logue grazed the inside of the goal post to just fail to get Culcairn home as Lockhart held firm.

Lockhart who has missed finals football in the previous two seasons were given great service by wingman David Johnson, along with Al Haberecht, Josh and Joel Maniscalco.

Graeme Fruean did a great job on curbing Lockhart spearhead Tom Marlow after early goals on Brendan Mitchell. Ben Schulz, Luke Taylor and Jack Stean also played well for Culcairn.

Henty were very impressive in its initial 2012 hit out after a round one bye, when they destroyed last year’s premiers Jindera at Jindera by a whopping 93 points.

With Josh Spencer on fire up forward with six goals and a best on ground showing by new coach Brent Piltz they gave indications of bigger and better things in 2012.

Such was the Swampies dominance; they kept Jindera to just one goal in the first three quarters with Jimmy Ellis, John Mercuri and ruckman Jamal O’Sullivan starring.

Henty will find out more about their progress in the next fortnight when they take on close town rivals Holbrook and Culcairn in mouth watering contests.

Jindera star forward Ash Murray who kicked eight goals the previous week was well held by the Swampies to finish with just one goal.

Howlong and Holbrook played out a tough and tight encounter at Holbrook, before the Spiders pounced late in the game to win by four goals.

Daniel Bradshaw and his brother Darren who kicked fifteen goals between them the previous week were kept to just five goals this week against Peter Winnet and Lachie Trethowan respectively.

Daniel the two time Brisbane Lions premiership player however made his count when he kicked all three in a purple patch in the last quarter to lift Howlong to victory.

After leading at half time Holbrook copped a savage blow when coach Jarrod Twitt left the ground with a groin injury. His presence and class was badly missed.

James Breen was off target for Holbrook kicking just one goal from eight scoring shots. Mikal Bloom and Stu Williams were outstanding for Holbrook.

Walla scored its first win in over twenty matches when they grabbed a thrilling two point victory over firm favourites RW Tigers at Rand.

Former Richmond player Troy Taylor pulled down a mark of the year contender in the dying stages and slotted home the goal to put the Hoppers in front and hold on in a tight finish.

Walla claimed its first and only wooden spoon in 2011 after 108 years of history and is hell bent on climbing up the ladder with Saturdays result just the tonic required.

The loss was a blow to the Tigers after a promising start in round one and coach Clint Gilson is sure to put his charges through some strong training this week.

Osborne continued on its winning way by easily accounting for round one winner CDHBU at Osborne, winning by 70 points.

James Kennedy, Marty Bahr, Peter Heath and Luke Heyme were in blistering touch as the Cats won all four quarters to stay in second place on the ladder.

CDHBU did well to restrict the carnage after giving up the first seven goals of the game with Jarrod Hanrahan, Matt Ross and Doug Lavis leading the way.

Osborne coach Daniel McAlister kicked four goals to continue his good form after a injury riddled 2011. Osborne should make it three in a row when they travel to Billabong Crows this week.

Brock-Burrum Saints bounced back in good style after a shock round one loss to CDHBU, by easily defeating Billabong Crows by 58 points at Brocklesby.

Kylin Morey led the charge with four goals, while youngster Jacob Bennie impressed with four goals as well. Saints coach Darryn McKimmie was best afield in a damaging game.

Phil Goldsack was best for the Crows in defence, while star forward Josh Evans was well held to finish with just two goals. Murray Magpies had the round two bye.

NEXT WEEK ROUND TWO

Henty v Holbrook

Howlong v Culcairn

Lockhart v BB Saints

Walla v Murray Magpies

CDHBU v RW Tigers (Coreen)

Billabong Crows v Osborne (Urana)

Jindera bye

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Mayor Peter Yates said 52 homes and business in Lockhart were inundated with water on March 3 and 4.

During the meetings residents voiced their concerns that the warning system to evacuate came too late.

The residents said they want a better system implemented to alert them and allow them to evacuate much earlier.

SES, Rural Fire Service, Police, Ambulance service, Lockhart Fire Brigade, Lions Club, Football Club members were commended for the assistance given during the flooding and in the following weeks with the clean up.

Fifty nine shires in NSW were impacted by the rain with Lockhart one of the first to be declared a disaster area.

It was reported damage sustained to the road network is not as bad as from the 2010 flood with the height and flow of the water also quite different.

The flow was reported as much quicker and above the height of 2010.

It was recognised that the road and railway bridges impacted on the flooding. Residents said that Council should not back off and that pressure needs to be bought on politicians, the RMS and Murray Catchments Authority to fast track action in these areas.

Concerns were also raised as to why nothing had been done in the 18th months since the previous flood to alleviate the problem of storm water entering the town from Mulbrulong, where the railway line acts as a channel for water.

The meeting was told it is impossible to fully protect towns in the Shire and a professional study has to be done to prepare a case to meet the criteria for funding. James McTavish from the SES is to conduct a survey of residents affected.

Laurie Carter said that people were to be commended for filling sand bags and praised the council and their staff for their actions on the night of the flood.

Darryl Wade from the Roadhouse voiced his concern that the town would suffer if action isn’t taken in the area of flood mitigation.

“Do you want a beautiful town or a flooded town?” was the question asked.

The proposed new footbridge over Brookong Creek is about three months away from being replaced even though plans have been drawn up.

This was of concern to residents of Green Street west who perceive problems with access to town if water goes over the spillway on the northern side of the creek.

CentreLink did not widely advertise that they would be in Lockhart to offer assistance.

General Manager, Chris Gallagher has requested they advertise a return visit and urged those eligible for the $1000 per adult and $400 per child grant to apply.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.